Though Elmar Koenig is 21, he plays "old-style" tennis, according to his Eckerd College coach, Scott Deis. The German's game was good enough to win last month's SPTC Adults and Vets open-division singles title.
The victory included a semifinal upset of top-seeded Gerardo Azcurra from Argentina and a 6-4, 6-3 championship win over college teammate Sebastian Niedermayer. "That week, I felt confident and just was playing pretty well," Koenig said. "Last time, Sebastian won the St. Pete Tournament, and I was happy to beat him and especially the No. 1 seed.
"Our college season is in the spring, and I have no time for tournaments then, so I'm playing as many as I can now," Koenig said.
Koenig is an Eckerd sophomore and as a freshman produced an 11-3 record in the No. 4 position. He had a 15-3 doubles mark. Koening was selected for the Sunshine State Conference's second doubles team and received honorable-mention singles recognition. "Last year, our team finished No. 13 in the nation, and we're not losing anyone," Deis said. "We have four seniors, so this is an important year for us. We have a rare opportunity to do extremely well.
"Elmar's been a big part of our success. He didn't come with an incredible junior background, but he plays like he has one. He serves big, moves well and is versatile. He can do everything well."
Koenig was 4 when he first played in his hometown of Stuggart, Germany. His father ran a tennis hall, he said, and had tennis, badminton and squash courts.
At one point, Koenig was ranked 10th in south Germany in the 15-and-under division.
"When it was time for college, I wanted to study international business and play tennis," Koenig said. "I had been here for vacations and went to USF a couple of weeks, but it was too big for me. When I came to Eckerd College, it was perfect. "After college, I may play more tennis, but it depends. If I'm still playing well, we'll see."
Deis feels fortunate to have Koenig and expects big things from him this season.
"Elmar is good now, and yet I've seen him improve by being here," Deis said. "With practice everyday, he's gotten more solid. Tennis is in his blood.
"I think he could - and so could a lot of the Europeans on the team - go out and play masters events if they wished," Deis said. "But it also seems their path of life is more clear. They're more academic-minded and want to get their degree. What happens after that, they're ready to deal with."
LEAGUE NEWS: Florida Super Senior 4.0 champion McMullen fell short in last month's USA League Tennis National Championships in Palm Springs, Calif. McMullen beat Northern California 2-1 and lost 2-1 to Pacific Northwest and Southern in its flight competition. USTA Middle States was the 8.0 champ. Players representing Florida were captain Ron Massey, Mauro Rodriguez, Ed Hamilton, John Rensch, John Beda, Jeff McQuinn, Chuck Imhoff and Wendall Walker.
Shipwatch Tennis Club collected its sixth consecutive victory in the USA Senior Combo 7.5 Women's League with a 2-1 decision over McMullen last weekend. Elizabeth Proctor and Nancy Morgan posted a 6-4, 6-3 win in No. 2 doubles, and Mickie Gelestor and Lynne Norring recorded a 6-4, 7-6 victory at No. 1. The Racquet Club won its third match in the USA Senior Combo 7.5 Men's League with a 3-0 decision over Royal Racquet Club last weekend. John Mcquillen and David Laesser posted a victory in the No. 1 slot in two sets, and Paul Tomey and Steven Uebel and Paul Stewart and Stuart Adam produced three-set wins. In the 6.5 division, Feather Sound Country Club logged its fifth victory with a 3-0 decision over Largo Tennis Center. David Smith and George Ditzel won in straight sets at No. 2, Phillip Sealund and Dan Diloreto posted a win in three sets in No. 3 and Pat Augustine and Bob Hicks won by default at No. 1.
A captains meeting is planned to begin at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29 at East Lake Woodlands Country Club for Senior, Super Senior, Super 70 and Senior mixed doubles leagues. For information, contact Carol Levin(clevin01@tampabay.rr.com) or David Wisotsky(adswiz@msn.com)
NET SHOTS: Among the winners in last weekend's St. Petersburg Country Club Rookie Championships were top-seeded Alyssa Emery (girls 14-and-under division), Yurina Kunishima (16), Michael Beiler (boys 14) and No. 2 Andrew Kissner (16). Consolation winners included Tahira Green (girls 10), Yasmin Franco (12), No. 2 Jessica Schroeder (14), Starlon Cornelius (boys 12) and Michael Rainwater (16).
Alexandra Cercone and George Navas were selected to play on the state's junior team in last month's 12th annual Mills-Redgrave Challenge, a competition between top Florida and USTA Southern section players. Nine girls and nine boys were on each squad.
THIS WEEKEND: The SPTC Homecoming is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Petersburg Tennis Center, 650 18th Ave. South. Free tennis is planned, and the presentation of the Linwood Lewallen Sportsmanship Award begins at 11:15. For information, call 823-2225. COMING UP: The 16th annual Pete Wolfberg Championships, for boys and girls singles players, are scheduled for Nov. 12-14 at St. Pete Tennis Center. Call 823-2225 by the Nov. 9 deadline. ... The 13th annual Frenchy's Gumbo Tennis Classic, a benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County, is Nov. 11-13 in Clearwater. Register at McMullen Tennis Complex or by calling (727) 669-1919.
